saddle slipping forwards

pickwickayr

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can anyone help.I have problems with my saddle slipping too far forwards. pony is a new forest with a wide round barrel. I'm very pleased with the saddle which I bought new last year and had checked by fitter and flocked up at the back last month. however saddle keeps slipping forwards! pony isn't bothered by it but it can't be very comfortable. we start eventing I. 3 weeks so really need this sorted by then.....
I'm looking for recommendations on a girth that would help!! need a 42 or small 44 inch which is a problem as most don't go small enough. I would even try a fair fax if it would help I'm that desperate I would spend any amount right now lol. I've emailed Fairfax to c if it would help but not heard back!

I've already tried the following which either didn't help or made slipping worse-
native pony company leather girth
stubben string girth
shires leather contoured girth
fylde grippy girth

any recommendations would b great!!! would a professional choice help do u think?
 

Kikke

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Should maybe not be posting as I can't give you any advise you are asking for........ However a well fitting saddle should not slip forward so really that needs addressing rather then trying to fix it with a girth that would not really fix it.
I don't think I would go eventing with a saddle that doesn't fit perfectly. Sorry.
 

Shay

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Agree with Kikke that a well fitted saddle will not slip - no matter what shape ned is. In the short term I'm not sure a new girth would necessarily help hold it. You'd have to tighten it up so far that the horse's stride length would be affected. Might a gel non slip pad help? But do get the fit, flocking etc re-checked. Also perhaps the size of the head peice?
 

pickwickayr

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thank you for your help. I can assure u the saddle fits. it was checked by saddle fitter at the start of march so almost a month ago, flocking was adjusted and fitter saw saddle on pony again afterwards. saddler has told ne it is the girth that pulls saddle forward as she has a forward girth groove unfortunately!
I use an ecogold grippy pad which I'm delighted with :)
 

Pearlsasinger

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thank you for your help. I can assure u the saddle fits. it was checked by saddle fitter at the start of march so almost a month ago, flocking was adjusted and fitter saw saddle on pony again afterwards. saddler has told ne it is the girth that pulls saddle forward as she has a forward girth groove unfortunately!
I use an ecogold grippy pad which I'm delighted with :)
Then perhaps a 2nd opinion would be a good idea.
 

pickwickayr

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the girth slides forwards into the girth groove tho which is going to pull the saddle forward? saddler recommended a curved girth that will hang straight down from the point strap but unfortunately I can't find one in the size I need other than the shires one which I've tried. my saddler is a highly regarded master saddle fitter who I trust
 

Clodagh

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Did you buy my pony!! I always had a forward slipping saddle with her, as with yours the girth groove was in front of where the saddle should be. I used a grippy girth and a grip numnah, both of which helped but didn't fix it. I should have used a crupper but was too vain so just constantly adjusted the saddle positioning which involved much getting on and off.
It can help if when you have put it on do the girth up fairly tight and then pull their front legs really forward to get the girth to sit back as far as possible.
 

pickwickayr

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thank you clodagh! I'm so glad someone understands! will try pulling her legs forward. think I may try a professional choice girth as seem to have good reviews
 

galaxy

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You're not alone, its not uncommon with nf ponies where their shoulder blade is further back than their girth groove. I have never seen anyone try a forward cut girth, but have seen degrees if success with winter girths and geleeze (sticky) gel pads. Good luck!
 

rowan666

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My (a tad overweight) luso does this! Had a fortune spent on fitted dressage saddle and made no difference, tried diff cut saddles?girths/numnahs etc nothing works! We used to have a crupper on old shetland witch did work wonders for but they just look daft on anything that isnt ridden by kids! I think our chunky barrel shapped equines may be a lost cause! :(
 

shadowboy

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One way is to get the front of the saddle fitted with a squared off gusset rather than the panel being rounded off. This helps the saddle sit behind the shoulder - I have just been having the exact same problem!!!!
 

sidesaddlegirl

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No easy fix as you fighting against the conformation on the horse. My TB has the same problem where things shoot forward onto her shoulders as she has a forward girth groove. I have probably spent ££££'s on saddles and saddler's fittings trying to stop my saddles from going forward. It can be a variety of things such as tree shape, panel shape, girth strap placement on the saddle, type of girth and conformation, which make a saddle go forward. MANY saddles out there have the girth straps set too far back.

In the end, I just happened to try my friend's Stubben he was selling and it was the first saddle ever that did not shoot forward onto her shoulders! The tree and panel shape as well as the forward placement of the girth straps, just seem to work for her.

I have had saddles on her back that *should* have fitted her and seemed to be an excellent fit but then after a couple of strides of trot, they were on her shoulders so it may be the same with your saddle too.

I have tried those curved girths and they did not help at all. Stephens and Acavallo non slip gel pads are good and I use those with my side saddles. I also have point straps put on all my saddles (astride and side saddle) as that allows you to put the girth at maximum set. However, you do have to be careful that you don't tip the back of the saddle up when using the point and 1st or 1st and 2nd on the saddle so on my Stubben, I use point strap and 2nd to spread the tension of the girth evenly.
 

redmone

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Another here that feels your pain! Our 12.2 nf x welsh barrel pony has had a few saddle issues!

Its helped that she's lost weight, as saddle now can sit a little further back.

An instructor recently told us to use the back two girth straps. Not advisable, I know, as they are both connected and if they go, goodbye saddle. However it does completely stop it slipping.

I've been recommended to go for a working hunter saddle next time.

Oh and lots of suggestions for a crupper. :)
 

cellie

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My saddler suggested point straps and she attached them to my new saddle as my young horse had no shoulder.
This might give you extra anchorage :D
 

sbloom

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Generally you want to use the front straps (point strap and third usually, occasionally point and second) if your horse can tolerate a point strap. This hhelps line the girth attachment points up with the girth groove, very rare that using the back straps will keep a saddle back.

I see Connies, NFs and loads of other natives with this issue but I've not yet had to go to a curved girth for any of them in order to keep a saddle back, even when the girth groove is VERY forwards. I do think that it might be worth a discussion with a specialist - saddle fitters don't have access to all brands and I see plenty of ponies where SMS saddle fitters have not really been able to solve the problem. These ponies are tricky!

The first port of call is indeed often to make sure the cantle is high enough, if it is too low on a flat backed or native type, the saddle easily moves forwards. The factors beyond that that keep a saddle back are down to other flocking tricks, choice of girth straps, but these only work if the tree and panel design is right in the first place.
 
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